Formula 1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media has been criticised for the direction it is taking the sport by grand prix prom꧟oters. 

The Formula 1 Promoters Association, which coꦬnsists of representatives from 16 unnamed races on the calendar, held a meeting in London on Monday in which it expressed a series of concerns over Liberty’s methods. 

In a rare statement, the FOPA highlighted F1’s move away from free-to-air broadcasting as one of the key issues, with the UK’s cover🌠age of the sport becoming exclusive to Sky Sports F1 from the upcoming 2019 season. 

“It is not in the long-term interest of the sport that fans lose free access to content and broadcꦬasti𝓰ng,” the FOPA said. 

Concerns were also raised over a “lack o♚f engagement and clarity” from Liberty with race promoters over new initiatives, as well as fears over the methods used to secure new events. 

“There is lack of𝔍 clarity on new𓄧 initiatives in F1 and a lack of engagement with promoters on their implementation,” FOPA continued. 

“New races should not be introduced to❀ the detri♈ment of existing events although the association is encouraged by the alternative business models being offered to prospective venues.” 

The sta🃏tement added: ”As we enter a new season of the sport that we have promoted for many decades, the promoters seek a m🍸ore collaborative approach to the development of the championship and the opportunity to offer their experience and expertise in a spirit of partnership with Formula 1 and the FIA.”

Stuart Pringle, British Grand Prix promoter and boss of the Silverstone Circuit which activated a break clause in its contract - meaning this year’s even🌠t is set to be the last hosted at the Northamptonshire track - says the race promoters group has taken issue with th𝐆e type of deals offered to new venues.

Pringle highlighted particular co꧅ncern over the postponed plans for a Miami Grand Prix, which he claims wouജld be a “free deal”. 

“Everyone is disgruntled. Liberty's ideas are disjointed,” Pringle told The Daily Mail.

“We have all been compliant and quiet hitherto, b🍃ut we have great concerns about the♊ future health of the sport under the people who run it now.

"If this continues, Formula 1 will be racing o𒀰n second-rate circuits, if any at all.”